Chapter 4765-22 | Professional Standards

Rule 4765-22-01 | Professional standards of conduct for firefighter, fire safety inspector, or hazard recognition officer certificate holders.

• Effective: August 1, 2021
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) A person issued a firefighter, fire safety inspector, or hazard recognition officer certificate shall not discriminate in the provision of fire services on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin.

(B) A person issued a firefighter, fire safety inspector, or hazard recognition officer certificate shall not misrepresent the person's professional qualifications or credentials.

(C) A person issued a firefighter, fire safety inspector, or hazard recognition officer certificate shall accurately document and maintain records of all approved continuing education courses the certificate holder completes in accordance with Chapter 4765-20 of the Administrative Code. Upon request, documentation shall be provided to the division within the time parameters as set forth by the executive director with advice and counsel of the committee.

(D) A person issued a firefighter, fire safety inspector, or hazard recognition officer certificate who is disciplined for violations of Chapter 4765. of the Revised Code and the rules promulgated thereunder shall report the discipline to any and all fire related employers.

(E) A person issued a certificate to practice shall report to the division as soon as practicable any knowledge of a violation of Chapter 4765. of the Revised Code or the rules promulgated thereunder.

(F) A person issued a firefighter, fire safety inspector, or hazard recognition officer certificate who is convicted of any criminal offense, other than a minor traffic offense, shall comply with the following:

(1) Within fourteen days of the final sentencing of such offense, the certificate holder shall provide written notification of the conviction to the division;

(2) Within sixty days of the final sentencing of such offense, the certificate holder shall provide the division with all of the following:

(a) A certified copy of the judgment entry from the court in which the conviction occurred;

(b) A certified copy of the police or law enforcement agency report, if applicable;

(c) A bureau of criminal identification and investigation (BCI&I) civilian background check.

(3) Documentation required in paragraph (F) of this rule shall be acquired and submitted at the certificate holder's expense.

(G) A person issued a firefighter, fire safety inspector, or hazard recognition officer certificate shall not commit fraud, misrepresentation, or material deception, or submit false or misleading information in any of the following:

(1) Applying for or obtaining a firefighter, fire safety inspector, or hazard recognition officer certificate;

(2) Renewing a firefighter, fire safety inspector, or hazard recognition officer certificate;

(3) Responding to audits conducted by the division or executive director;

(4) Responding to or complying with any other official request from the division or the executive director.

(H) When providing professional services, a person issued a certificate to practice shall exhibit respect for the needs and personal values of the public and their fellow service providers.

(I) Except as otherwise required by law, a person issued a certificate to practice shall maintain the confidentiality of all sensitive and protected information consistent with state and federal law.

(J) A person issued a certificate who is a witness to any violation of Chapter 4765. of the Revised Code and the rules promulgated thereunder shall cooperate fully with any investigation conducted by the division.

(K) A person issued a certificate to practice shall not engage in the illegal use or illegal acquisition of controlled substances, alcohol, or other habit-forming drugs or chemical substances that impair the certificate holder's ability to practice or provide service.

(L) A person issued a certificate to practice shall not aid or abet another to engage in the uncertified practice of fire services.

Last updated October 26, 2023 at 12:46 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4765.55
Amplifies: 4765.55
Five Year Review Date: 10/1/2028
Prior Effective Dates: 1/1/2018, 4/1/2019

Rule 4765-22-02 | Professional standards of conduct for fire and emergency instruct I, fire and emergency services instructor II, and live fire instructor certificate holders.

• Effective: July 7, 2024
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

[Comment: For dates and availability of material incorporated by reference in this rule see rule 4765-25-02 of the Administrative Code.]

(A) An instructor shall not discriminate in the provision of firefighter, fire inspector, hazard recognition officer, or instructor training courses on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin.

(B) An instructor shall provide instruction in accordance with the curriculum, objectives, and standards as set forth in section 4765.55 of the Revised Code, and Chapters 4765-20 to 4765-25 of the Administrative Code.

(C) An instructor shall provide instruction in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the accredited or chartered program through which the instructor is employed or affiliated.

(D) An instructor shall not provide instruction in any course that is above the instructor's provider certificate level.

(E) An instructor shall not evaluate practical skills examinations unless the instructor has successfully completed the "Practical Skills Evaluator Training Course."

(F) An instructor shall not be permitted to evaluate practical skills examinations that are above the level of the instructor's provider certificate.

(G) An instructor shall not misrepresent the instructor's professional qualifications or credentials.

(H) An instructor shall not commit fraud, misrepresentation, or deception in conducting a firefighter, fire safety inspector, hazard recognition officer, or instructor training course.

(I) An instructor shall not commit fraud, misrepresentation, or deception in order to obtain a fire certificate to teach.

(J) An instructor shall accurately document and maintain records of all requirements for renewal of the instructor's certificate to teach in accordance with Chapter 4765-21 of the Administrative Code, as applicable. Upon request, the certificate holder shall provide the division with documentation within the time parameters as set forth by the executive director with advice and counsel of the committee.

(K) To be eligible to teach firefighter certification courses, a fire and emergency services instructor I, fire and emergency services instructor II, and live fire instructor shall maintain a current firefighter certificate. If an instructor fails to maintain a current firefighter certificate, the instructor is not permitted to instruct in any firefighter course.

(L) A live fire instructor shall maintain a current fire and emergency services instructor I or fire and emergency services instructor II certificate. If an instructor fails to maintain a current fire and emergency services instructor I or fire and emergency services II certificate, the instructor is not permitted to instruct in any live fire training evolutions.

(M) An instructor shall obtain approval from a chartered program prior to teaching any courses under the auspices of the chartered program.

(N) An instructor shall surrender all documentation of course files to the sponsoring chartered program no later than ninety days after the final day of the course.

(O) An instructor shall not aid, assist, or help any student gain an unfair advantage on any portions of a firefighter, fire safety inspector, hazard recognition officer, or instructor course or on any examinations.

(P) An instructor shall not proctor or be present during the state written examinations unless the individual is sitting for the examination as part of the course requirements.

(Q) An instructor shall consistently demonstrate a standard of knowledge and competency that meets or exceeds the minimal level required under the individual's certificate to teach.

(R) An instructor shall report in writing to the division, as soon as practicable, any suspicion or knowledge of a violation of this chapter or any potential compromise of the examination process.

(S) In addition to meeting the professional standards of conduct in this rule, an instructor shall also remain in compliance with the standards of conduct for a firefighter, fire safety inspector, or hazard recognition officer certificate as set forth in rule 4765-22-01 of the Administrative Code.

(T) A person issued a fire and emergency services instructor I, fire and emergency services instructor II, or live fire instructor certificate to teach who is disciplined for violations of Chapter 4765. of the Revised Code and the rules promulgated thereunder shall report the discipline to any and all fire related employers.

(U) A person issued a fire and emergency services instructor I, fire and emergency services instructor II, or live fire instructor certificate to teach shall not commit fraud, misrepresentation, or material deception, or submit false or misleading information in any of the following:

(1) Applying for or obtaining a fire and emergency services instructor I, fire and emergency services instructor II, or live fire instructor certificate;

(2) Renewing a fire and emergency services instructor I, fire and emergency services instructor II, or live fire instructor certificate;

(3) Responding to audits conducted by the division or executive director;

(4) Responding to or complying with any other official request from the division or the executive director.

Last updated July 8, 2024 at 10:38 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4765.55
Amplifies: 4765.55
Five Year Review Date: 10/1/2028
Prior Effective Dates: 4/1/2019